BANNER COUNTY
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION PROCEEDINGS
The Banner County Board of Equalization met in regular session in the Courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse on August 16, 2022. This is in accordance with the adjournment of the August 2, 2022, meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE, at the Post Office on August 11, 2022, the Banner County School, at the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse. Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.
The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the County Clerk. A copy was emailed to each board member on August 11, 2022. The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:31 a.m. Present on roll call were: Bob Post, Chairman;
Bob Gifford, Vice-Chairman; Member Sharon Sandberg; Mark Kovarik, Attorney; Lisa Cross, Clerk;
Kathy Natale, Interim Treasurer; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent; Zane Hopkins, Deputy Sheriff; Bernice Huffman, Assessor; Stan McKnight, Sheriff.
The Chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the meeting room window and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.
The agenda was examined, and Sandberg moved to approve as presented. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.
The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Sandberg moved to approve the minutes for August 2, 2022 regular session and that the actions therein be ratified. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.
CORRESPONDENCE – None
ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD – None
Gifford made a motion to adjourn the Banner County Board of Equalization meeting at 8:40 a.m. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on September 6, 2022, or at the call of the clerk. A full agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Attest: _______________________ __________________________________________
County Clerk
__________________________________________
Attest: _______________________ __________________________________________
County Clerk
BANNER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 16, 2022. This is in accordance with the adjournment of the August 2, 2022, meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE, at the Post Office, the Banner County School, the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse. Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.
The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the County Clerk. A copy was emailed to each board member on August 11, 2022. The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:45 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present on roll call were:
Chairman Robert Post; Vice Chairman Robert Gifford; Member Sharon Sandberg; Mark Kovarik, Attorney; Lisa Cross, Clerk; Kathy Natale, Interim Treasurer; Bernice Huffman, Assessor; Stan McKnight, Sheriff; Zane Hopkins, Deputy Sheriff; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent.
The Chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the Commissioner meeting room window and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.
The agenda was examined and Gifford moved to approve the agenda. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes.
The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Gifford moved to approve the minutes for August 2, 2022 regular session and that the actions therein be ratified. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.
CORRESPONDENCE – PADD Letter
CLAIMS - The following claims for August 16, 2022 were audited, and Sandberg moved that the claims be approved and warrants ordered drawn on the respective funds. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes.
General
AGING OFFICE OF WESTERN NEBRASKA
AOWN $ 378.00
BAIRD FAMILY FARM
CONTRACT $ 10,000.00
BANNER COUNTY TREASURER
GEN VOIDED CKS $ 1,097.98
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
HEALTH INS $ 16,090.73
CONNECTING POINT
SERVICE $ 79.00
CONSOLIDATED MANAGEMENT COMPANY
MEALS $ 485.98
CULLIGAN
WATER $ 32.50
GREAT PLAINS UNIFORMS
UNIFORM $ 349.48
MARSHALL & SWIFT/BOECKH, LLC
CORELOGIC $ 664.20
MATHESON TRI-GAS INC
LAW ENF SUPPLY $ 37.11
MCI
PHONE $ 158.44
NE WEED CONTROL ASSOCIATION
TRAINING $ 120.00
NORTH PLATTE NRD
WATER $ 72.82
QUADIENT, INC.
POSTAGE $ 149.97
REGION I OFFICE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMT
SERVICES $ 1,095.00
SECRETARY OF STATE - ELECTION DIV. ELECTIONS
SUPPLY $ 20.00
US BANK
EXPENSES $ 793.47
Total $ 31,624.68
Road
AJK SERVICES, LLC
CONTRACT $ 50.00
BANNER COUNTY TREASURER RD
VOIDED CKS $ 266.57
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
HEALTH INS $ 11,997.68
BOMGAARS
SHOP SUPPLIES $ 621.48
GROSKOPF MANUFACTURING
CULVERTS $ 3,165.65
MURPHY TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT CO. INC
OTHER EQUIP $ 2,240.00
NORTH PLATTE NRD
WATER $ 33.72
Total $ 18,375.10
ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. Resolution for the levy request – Gifford made the motion to adopt Resolution 2022-12. Second by Post. Roll Call Vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, abstained.
2. 2022 Inventory – Sandberg made the motion to accept the 2022 inventories of the Highway Superintendent; County Attorney; Banner County Sheriff; Assessor; County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and Clerk of the District Court; Building & Grounds; Real Estate; Treasurer; and County Court.
3. Treasurer interviews and appoint – Micah from Zelle conducted interviews in the meeting for the four chosen applications. Micah recommended to hire Chelsea Mossberg. Sandberg moved to accept the recommendation of Zelle contingent on passing a background check. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.
4. Overweight Permits – tabled
5. Bytes – Gifford made a motion to accept Byte’s contract. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.
6. Set Joint Public Hearing- Joint Public Hearing on September 20, 2022 at 6:30 pm.
7. Emergency Item – Sandberg made the motion to add the emergency item number seven due to the unforeseen resignation of Deputy Treasurer, Kathy Natale, and the fact that we need to pay bills we need to authorize Bob Post to be an authorized signer of the Treasurer’s account. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.
Sandberg made a motion to authorize Robert Post to be an authorized signer on the Treasurer accounts, and that Chelsea Mossberg to be an authorized signer of the Treasurer’s accounts as soon as she assumes the Treasurer position. Second by Gifford.
Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Office of Human Development – Gifford reported that Office of Human Development had a normal meeting.
Aging Office of Western Nebraska – Sandberg reported that the Aging Office of Western Nebraska meeting was a normal one.
Region One Behavioral Health – Post reported their meeting addressed the opioid funds. Counties will hold on to them for five years and them transfer them to Region One. The counties will have to have special accounts for the funds.
REPORTS
Highway Department – Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent, said that there are only two culverts left to install.
Weed Department – Gifford went to the weed training. Steve and Lena Baird also attended. There was a lot of good information.
County Attorney – Mark Kovarik, County Attorney, reported that court has been the same as usual. There was a reception at the Banner County Courthouse on August 15, 2022 for Chief Justice Michael Heavican. There was a nice turnout.
Clerk – Lisa Cross, Clerk, said that the reception for Chief Justice Michael Heavican turned out very nice. There were a lot of people that work with the courts and probation that were there and she got to meet them and put a face with the names. It was very enjoyable.
Sheriff – Stan McKnight, Sheriff, reported that Zane Hopkins has completed the Law Enforcement Training. Sheriff McKnight is taking bids for a fence for the impound lot.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Steve Brown – Steve Brown asked if they didn’t think that Kathy Natale will quit. He wanted to know why the Commissioners didn’t trust Kathy to finish out the term. The Commissioners said it wasn’t a matter of trust. Steve said he felt they messed up not appointing Kathy Natale, Deputy Treasurer.
Kathy Van Pelt – Kathy Van Pelt expressed that she agreed with Steve Brown.
Rod Van Pelt – Rod Van Pelt also expressed that he agreed with Steve Brown. Rod said that Kathy had a lot of good years and rapport with the community. Rod thanked the commissioners listening to him.
Charity May – Charity May wanted to know why Micah with Zelle didn’t give a reason for his recommendations and why the commissioners didn’t go into executive session to discuss the reasoning for who he recommended. Even if you thought about it prior today, you did not know the answers to today’s questions, so the decision was made strictly off the recommendation. It was reckless to do so not knowing the reasons behind the recommendation.
Eddie Shaul – Eddie Shaul asked how you can have someone in office for 12 years and not be appointed as Treasurer. He said it was a slap in the face. Eddie doesn’t know why we are spending all the money for Zelle to take care of the HR. Elected Officials should take care of HR and not spend money.
Laif Anderson – Laif Anderson said he felt it was sad that Kathy Natale, Deputy Treasurer, wasn’t thanked for her service. Laif questions why we need an HR company. He doesn’t feel this is a benefit to our county.
Deborah Genz – Deborah Genz said she was too emotional to speak. She was afraid she would say something she would regret. Deborah said that the commissioners have disappointed her since the middle of March since the December events hit the paper. Deb said she doesn’t know how the decision was came to but said may God help you in the future.
Robert Gifford – Robert Gifford reported that when we started in and decided to interview. We made the choice to see if there was someone more qualified to step in. When I made the choice to interview, that choice made it open to the best candidate out there. In my mind, Kathy had the job. I looked at the applications, and listened to the interviews and my mind was changed. I give a lot of credit to the four individuals that put so much at risk for a job that is only for four months. Kathy has the job as Deputy Treasurer and she can keep that job. The election can decide after the four months.
Sandberg made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 10:53 a.m. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on
September 6, 2022, or at the call of the clerk. A full agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Attest: _______________________ __________________________________________